JP2008124851A - Output processing device and data structure for executing processing thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an output processing device and a data structure for executing its processings, that eliminate the need for storing N pages of data assigned to a single page in memory, and can realize N-in-one recoding at a high speed. <P>SOLUTION: The output processing device and data structure is characterized by provision of: data sections 11, ..., 1M, 21, ..., 2M for storing image data for each unit of block; header sections 11, ..., 1M, 21, ..., 2M for storing initial addresses of the image data stored in units of blocks; and control means for reading out the same line of image data of a plurality of successive blocks for each line, starting from the data sections 11, ..., 1M, 21, ..., 2M on the basis of the initial addresses stored in the header sections 11, ..., 1M, 21, ..., 2M, and for outputting the read image data of a plurality of lines to recoding means corresponding to a single line of successive image data. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention provides an output processing apparatus that controls output for recording when performing recording such as N-in-1 printing (printing in which N pages are assigned to one page) with a digital multi-function peripheral, and the like. Related to the data structure.

  In recent years, digital multifunction peripherals having functions such as a copying machine, a FAX, and a printer have become widespread. Such a digital multi-function peripheral has an input / output function by a scanner or a printer, a function for connecting to a network or a communication line, an image processing function for image data, and the like. The image processing function includes, for example, a reduction process for changing the resolution of input image data, a rotation process for changing the orientation of the image, and the like. Recently, there has been a demand for high-speed processing, and there has been a demand for a digital multi-function peripheral capable of performing a parallel operation such as performing FAX at the same time as printing.

  In such a digital multi-function peripheral, when processing for N-in-1 printing is started, the CPU first sets image processing. The contents to be set include, for example, an N-in-1 layout and a paper size input from the operation panel. After these are set, image data input from a scanner, FAX, computer or the like is transferred from the memory in which it is temporarily stored to the image processing unit, and image processing is performed. Since the N-in-1 printing process is performed, N pages are allocated to one page to form one page, and one page image-processed by this allocation is output for printing.

  Therefore, image processing in a conventional digital multi-function peripheral is performed in units of pages, a memory is secured in units of pages, and image data is expanded and processed in memory in units of pages. Therefore, in N-in-1 printing in which N pages of image data are allocated to one page and output, N pages of memory and memory for processing, that is, at least (N + 1) pages or more of memory are required. For this reason, the size of the memory increases and the utilization efficiency thereof decreases, and at the same time, the CPU performs all these processes, so that the processing speed decreases, and the processing becomes slow, for example, when the parallel operation is performed. FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram conceptually showing a processing method when performing conventional 4-in-1 printing.

  Therefore, the image memory storing two or more pages of image data transferred from the decoder stores data on the same line in each area, and for each page in which the head address TA is set, one line of data starts at the specified address. The process of transferring to the area includes the process of performing the start address TA as the first designated address, and thereby, for one line of another page stored in the area at the rear end address of the data stored in the area A process of adding a skip size SS including a data size and designating a next designated address, a DMAC for transferring image data of a plurality of pages from the decoder to the image memory by alternately repeating, and an image data stored in the image memory An image processing apparatus including a recording unit that records an image on a sheet of paper has been proposed (see Patent Document 1). .

  However, the image processing apparatus of (Patent Document 1) also needs to develop N pages of the same line data in the image memory, and the image data decoded by the decoder is transferred to the image memory by the DMAC. However, N pages of data must be expanded as image data for one page in the image memory, and the image data expanded in the image memory must be output to a recording unit by a CPU or DMAC and printed. Therefore, in this technique, the same line is processed in units of lines, but image data is expanded in image memory in units of pages, and data processing is performed using the image memory. In addition to (Patent Document 1), as such a technique, another N-in-1 printing apparatus has been conventionally proposed (see Patent Document 2).

Since it is necessary to easily manage image processing without imposing a heavy load on the CPU, image data in page units is divided into a plurality of area image data (tiles), and a header in which image processing information is described is displayed in tile units. The packet data is generated by adding to the image data, and the generated packet data is transferred between the image processing function units via the crossbar switch. In each image processing unit, based on the image processing information described in the header There has been proposed a technique that performs image processing of region image data, generates packet data in which a header in which image processing information is rewritten is added to the processed image data, and outputs the packet data (see Patent Document 3).
JP 2005-348046 A JP-A-6-183095 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-293741

  The image processing apparatus of (Patent Document 1) secures memory in units of pages and is used in N-in-1 printing because it is in units of lines as compared with a conventional image processing apparatus that processes image data in units of pages. May be smaller. However, in order to generate image data for printing, it is necessary to connect the data of each line between pages and develop them in an image memory, and at least a development memory is required. In order to perform this processing, there remains a problem in performing high-speed printing or performing parallel operation while performing high-speed printing. This is basically the same for the printing apparatus of (Patent Document 2).

  The image processing apparatus of (Patent Document 3) divides image data in units of tiles, adds a header, and separates each function such as resolution conversion, rotation function, color space conversion function, and binarization function. Image processing. However, it is necessary to reconstruct an image in units of tiles. At this time, image data in units of pages is reconstructed with a plurality of tiles. It is not assigned to a page.

  Therefore, the present invention provides an output processing device capable of performing N-in-1 recording at high speed without developing data in which N pages of data are allocated to one page in a memory, and a data structure for executing the processing. For the purpose.

  The output processing apparatus according to the present invention includes a first storage unit that stores image data in units of pages, a second storage unit that stores the start address of each image data stored in units of pages, and a head stored in the second storage unit. Control means for reading the same line of image data of a plurality of pages from the first storage means one line at a time based on the address, and outputting the read image data for the plurality of lines to the recording means as continuous one-line image data; It is characterized by providing.

  The data structure of the present invention stores the image data in the first area in units of blocks, stores the start address of each image data stored in units of blocks in the second area, and stores the start address stored in the second area. Is a data structure for taking out image data for one line from a plurality of blocks and outputting it as continuous image data for one line, and in the second area, in addition to the head address The start address of the first area belonging to the next block to be arranged is stored.

  According to the output processing device and the data structure of the present invention, when N-in-1 recording is performed, it is possible to perform data at a high speed without developing data in which N pages of data are allocated to one page in a memory. Since the image data is rearranged in accordance with the N-in-1 recording format, it is not necessary to separately provide a memory for this purpose, and an image of N pages can be recorded with a simple configuration. Furthermore, since the acquired image data is directly output to the recording apparatus without using a memory for rearranging the image data, the time required for the data processing during the image processing can be shortened.

  In addition, the same line for a plurality of pages is read continuously from the data portion of the memory while judging the output amount of the image data based on the length information of the data of each line inputted in block units or page units, so that data processing This eliminates the need for a buffer that expands in units of pages, and records a plurality of images on one recording sheet or the like according to the size of N pages of the designated N-in-1 recording function while reducing the time required for data processing. can do.

  Furthermore, the same line of the image data of a plurality of continuous pages is read, and the recording unnecessary area at the end of the read image data for one line is read to the output line buffer without removing the recording unnecessary area. Since the image data is continuously output to the recording device, the image data can be stably and quickly stored in the output line buffer in response to the recording output request, and the size of the output line buffer can be reduced. Memory can be used effectively.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the first storage means for storing the image data in units of pages, the second storage means for storing the head address of each image data stored in units of pages, and the second storage means Control for reading out the same line of image data of a plurality of pages from the first storage unit one line at a time based on the head address, and outputting the read image data for the plurality of lines to the recording unit as image data for one continuous line And an output processing device.

  According to this configuration, the image data can be sent directly to the recording means in order to record the image data. When outputting a plurality of image data acquired in units of pages, the plurality of image data are combined into one. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide a separate memory for rearrangement, and a plurality of image data can be output for each line with a simple configuration. Since the image data is directly output to the recording means, the time required for data processing is shortened. be able to.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a first storage means for storing image data in a predetermined block unit, a second storage means for storing a head address of each image data stored in a block unit, and a second storage means. Based on the head address stored in the first storage means, the same line of the continuous image data of a plurality of blocks is read line by line from the first storage means, and the read image data for the plurality of lines is recorded as a continuous line of image data. And an output processing device.

  According to this configuration, when the image data is recorded on one recording medium, the image data obtained in units of blocks is directly output from the second storage means to the recording means, so that the plurality of image data are combined into one. There is no need to provide a separate memory for rearrangement, multiple image data can be output for each line with a simple configuration, and the image data is output directly to the recording means, reducing the time required for data processing. can do.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, N-in-1 recording is performed in which a plurality of image data are arranged on the same stage of one recording medium, and a predetermined number of stages are provided to record a plurality of image data on one recording medium. An instruction means for instructing the function, a first storage means for storing the input image data in units of predetermined blocks, and a first address for storing the start address of each image data and the length information of each image data stored in units of blocks Control for reading the same line of image data of a plurality of continuous blocks from the two storage means and the first storage means one by one, and outputting the read image data for the plurality of lines to the recording means as image data for one continuous line And the control means outputs the image data corresponding to the length information of each image data stored in the second storage means to the recording means based on the instruction of the N-in-1 recording function. When it is determined that the data output of the images of the plurality of blocks in the stage has been completed, and the number of stages constituting the image data to be output to the recording unit is less than the predetermined number, the next consecutive blocks of the plurality of blocks are stored from the first storage unit. The output processing apparatus is characterized in that the same line is read line by line and output to the next stage.

  According to this configuration, the instructing unit can instruct the N-in-1 recording function. When image data is recorded in one N-in-1 recording format on one recording medium, the image data obtained in units of blocks is stored in the first unit. Since the data is directly output from the storage unit 2 to the recording unit, it is not necessary to separately provide a memory for rearranging the N pages of image data in accordance with the N-in-1 recording format, and a plurality of image data can be obtained with a simple configuration. Can be output for each line. Further, when the number of N-in-1 recording format stages formed by the image data output to the recording means is less than a predetermined number, the same line of two consecutive blocks is read from the first storage means one line at a time. A plurality of images can be recorded stably and at high speed on a single recording medium in accordance with the number of N pages of the designated N-in-1 recording function while reducing the time required for data processing.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, N-in-1 recording is performed in which a plurality of image data are arranged on the same stage of one recording medium, and a predetermined number of stages are provided to record a plurality of image data on one recording medium. An instruction means for instructing the function, a first storage means for storing the input image data in units of predetermined blocks, and a first address for storing the start address of each image data and the length information of each image data stored in units of blocks Control for reading the same line of image data of a plurality of continuous blocks from the two storage means and the first storage means one by one, and outputting the read image data for the plurality of lines to the recording means as image data for one continuous line And the control means outputs the image data corresponding to the length information of each image data stored in the second storage means to the recording means based on the instruction of the N-in-1 recording function. When it is determined that the data output of the images of the plurality of blocks in the stage has been completed and the number of stages constituting the image data to be output to the recording unit is less than the predetermined number, the plurality of corresponding to the next page from the first storage unit An output processing apparatus is characterized in that the same line of a block is read line by line.

  According to this configuration, the instructing unit can instruct the N-in-1 recording function. When image data is recorded in one N-in-1 recording format on one recording medium, the image data obtained in units of blocks is stored in the first unit. Since the data is directly output from the storage unit 2 to the recording unit, it is not necessary to separately provide a memory for rearranging the N page image data in accordance with the N-in-1 recording format, and a plurality of image data can be obtained with a simple configuration. Can be output for each line. Further, when the number of stages of the N-in-1 recording format formed by the image data output to the recording means is less than the predetermined number, the same line of the corresponding two blocks is read line by line from the first storage means. A plurality of images can be recorded stably and at high speed on a single recording medium in accordance with the number of N pages of the designated N-in-1 recording function while reducing the time required for data processing.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, N-in-1 recording is performed in which a plurality of image data are arranged on the same stage of a single recording medium, and a predetermined number of such stages are provided to record a plurality of image data on a single recording medium. An instruction means for instructing the function, a first storage means for storing the input image data in units of predetermined blocks, and a first address for storing the start address of each image data and the length information of each image data stored in units of blocks Control for reading the same line of image data of a plurality of continuous blocks from the two storage means and the first storage means one by one, and outputting the read image data for the plurality of lines to the recording means as image data for one continuous line And reading out the same line of continuous image data from a plurality of blocks one line at a time from the first storage means, Control means for outputting to the recording means as data, and the control means records image data corresponding to the length information of each image data stored in the second storage means based on an instruction of the N-in-1 recording function When outputting to the means, it is determined that the data output of the image of the plurality of blocks in the same stage is completed, and when the number of stages constituting the image data to be output to the recording means reaches a predetermined number, one sheet of the recording medium The output processing apparatus is characterized in that it is determined that the output of the image data for the second minute has been completed.

  According to this configuration, the instructing unit can instruct the N-in-1 recording function. When image data is recorded in one N-in-1 recording format on one recording medium, the image data obtained in units of blocks is stored in the first unit. Since the data is directly output from the storage unit 2 to the recording unit, it is not necessary to separately provide a memory for rearranging the N pages of image data in accordance with the N-in-1 recording format, and a plurality of image data can be obtained with a simple configuration. Can be output for each line. In addition, since the same line of image data for multiple pages is read continuously while judging the output amount of the image data based on the number of stages constituted by each image data input in units of blocks, the time required for data processing is shortened. However, a plurality of images can be recorded stably and at high speed on a single recording medium according to the number of N pages of the designated N-in-1 recording function.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the first to fifth aspects of the invention, there is provided third storage means for storing image data for one continuous line, and the control means stores image data for one continuous line. The output processing apparatus is characterized in that image data for one continuous line is temporarily stored in a third storage unit before being output to the recording unit. According to this configuration, before the image data for one continuous line is output to the recording means, only one continuous line is temporarily stored in the third storage means, and the image data for each line as one line. Therefore, it is not necessary to rearrange the read image data in a buffer that is newly developed in units of pages for different data processing, and the processing time required for recording a plurality of images can be reduced with a simple configuration. Can do.

  A seventh aspect of the present invention is the output processing device according to any one of the second to fifth aspects, wherein the predetermined block unit is composed of a page unit of the input image data. According to this configuration, when recording a plurality of image data obtained in units of pages, it is not necessary to rearrange the image data in a buffer that is newly developed in units of pages for different data processing. The time required for data processing for recording a plurality of images can be reduced.

  According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the output processing apparatus according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, wherein the image data is image data acquired by a reading means. According to this configuration, by outputting the image data read by the reading unit to the recording unit, the plurality of read images are directly sent to the recording unit by the output processing device, so that the plurality of image data obtained in units of pages are stored. When recording, it is not necessary to rearrange the image data in a buffer that is newly developed in units of pages for different data processing, and the time required for data processing to record a plurality of images can be reduced with a simple configuration. And a high-speed image copying apparatus can be provided.

  A ninth aspect of the present invention is the output processing device according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, wherein the image data is image data stored in a memory card. According to this configuration, even the image data stored in the memory card is sent directly to the recording means by the output processing device, so that the image data is newly stored in a buffer for developing in page units for another data processing. There is no need for rearrangement, and the time required for data processing for recording a plurality of images with a simple configuration can be reduced.

  According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the first to ninth aspects, when reading data on the same line of a plurality of pages from the first storage means, a read address is continuously formed and transferred to the recording means. A DMA controller for continuously transferring the data on the same line of a plurality of pages as image data for one line to the recording means based on the head address stored in the second storage means, and the control means The transferred image data is stored in a third storage means. According to this configuration, since the DMA controller continuously transfers the image data to the recording unit, the image data can be stored in the third storage unit stably and at high speed in response to the recording output request.

  According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, in the first to ninth inventions, when data of the same line of a plurality of pages is read from the first storage means, the same image data obtained by rotating the image data of the plurality of pages is used. When the line is read as one line, the DMA controller requests the first storage unit to continuously transfer the image data at the address corresponding to the rotated image data. Device. According to this configuration, even if there is an image whose direction is rotated by the N-in-1 recording function, the image directly rotated by the DMA controller is stored in the third storage unit without developing the rotated image data on the memory. It can be stored stably and at high speed.

  According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in the first to ninth aspects, a recording-unnecessary area that is different from the effective recording range is set at the end of one line of image data, and the control means has the same line of a plurality of pages. Is stored as the image data for one line in the third storage means continuously, each line of the next page is excluded from the recording unnecessary area of each line of the page read previously in a plurality of pages. The output processing apparatus is characterized in that the image data is written. According to this configuration, since the image data for one continuous line is output to the recording apparatus excluding the unnecessary recording area, the image data can be stored in the output line buffer at a high speed in response to the recording output request. The same image data obtained by expanding the image data of a plurality of pages once in the memory can be output only by using the output line buffer.

  According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, in the twelfth aspect, the control means writes the image data of each line of the next page in a state where the recording unnecessary area of each line of the read page is excluded, and the next page is the same. An output processing apparatus characterized by zero-filling a recording-unnecessary area of image data for each line when the last page is reached. According to this configuration, an unnecessary area of the image data of the read page is removed, and high-speed processing is possible. At the same time, the same image data obtained by expanding the image data of a plurality of pages once in the memory is stored in the output line buffer. It can be output just by using it.

  According to the fourteenth aspect of the present invention, in order to perform N-in-1 recording, the image data is reduced and stored in the first area in units of blocks, and the start address of each image data stored in units of blocks is set in the second area. The image data for one line of each page is taken out from each of the plurality of blocks based on the head address stored in the second area, and the line is obtained as image data for one continuous line of N-in-1 page. A data structure for outputting in units, wherein the second area stores the start address of the first area belonging to the next block arranged in succession in addition to the start address. It is a data structure. According to this configuration, using the processor (CPU), it is possible to easily read out each image data stored in units of blocks continuously in units of lines regardless of where the first area and the second area are arranged. Since data is stored in units of blocks, a data area for one page is not required, and the memory can be used effectively.

  A fifteenth aspect of the present invention is the data structure according to the fourteenth aspect, wherein the second area stores length information of each piece of image data stored in block units. . According to this configuration, it is possible to read line by line while determining the length information of each image data, and it is possible to read image data stably and at high speed.

  A sixteenth aspect of the present invention is the data structure according to the fourteenth or fifteenth aspect, wherein the block unit is a page unit. According to this configuration, image data can be stored easily, stably and at high speed in units of pages.

  According to a seventeenth aspect of the present invention, in the fourteenth or fifteenth invention, each block is provided with a second region in association with the first region, and a plurality of blocks are arranged to form a page unit structure. In addition, the data structure is such that N page-by-page structures are arranged to execute the N-in-1 recording function. According to this configuration, the block structure becomes compact, and image data can be processed stably and at high speed in units of blocks and output to the recording means in units of pages.

(Embodiment 1)
Hereinafter, an output processing apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention and a data structure provided in a memory for executing the processing will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of a digital multi-function peripheral provided with an output processing apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing image data processing of the output processing apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG.

  Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows an output processing apparatus when the output processing apparatus according to the first embodiment is a recording output processing apparatus of a digital multifunction peripheral or a print output processing apparatus. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a digital multi-function machine having functions such as a copying machine, a FAX, and a printer. Reference numeral 2 denotes a scanner unit that reads an image with a CCD or the like, and 3 denotes a FAX communication control unit that communicates by connecting to a telephone line or a digital line using protocols G3 and G4. Reference numeral 4 denotes an I / O interface that is connected to the host computer with a cable or the like and transmits data and commands to and from the printer driver of the host computer during image recording (printing in the first embodiment). The scanner unit 2 acquires image data by reading the image data, and the FAX and the host computer also acquire image data via the FAX communication control unit 3 and the I / O interface 4. It can be said that the input means.

  1 is a CPU for controlling the system of the digital multi-function peripheral 1, 6 is a rewritable FlashROM, 7 is a RAM, and 8 is an internal bus. The CPU 5 reads a program from a ROM (not shown) or a flash ROM 6 and executes various functions as a control unit.

  Next, in FIG. 1, 9 is an image processing unit that analyzes image data and performs reduction processing and rotation processing, and 10 is N-in-1 printing at high speed using a DMA (Direct Memory Access) function as will be described later. A print output processing unit. Note that the recording in the present invention means printing in the first embodiment, but also includes any other forms of image recording. Reference numeral 11 denotes a printing apparatus unit (recording unit of the present invention) that inputs an output from the print output processing unit 10 for image formation. The printing apparatus unit 11 is a laser printer in the first embodiment, and is provided with a laser diode as will be described later. The laser diode emits a laser beam and scans the charged photosensitive drum to statically adhere to the surface. An electric image is formed and developed, and then transferred to a recording sheet (the recording medium of the present invention), fixed and printed.

  In FIG. 1, 12 is an operation panel control unit (instruction means of the present invention) for performing various settings from an operation panel (not shown), and 13 is a display control unit for controlling a display (not shown) such as a liquid crystal. is there. Reference numeral 14 denotes a memory card interface for mounting and printing a memory card storing image data. Reference numeral 15 denotes an internal data generation unit of software logic that stores test print patterns and the like and generates print data based on these. Since the image data is stored in the memory card described above, the data can be read in response to the read request, and the internal data generation unit 15 also generates the image data of the test print pattern. Similar to the FAX communication control unit 3 and the host computer, it can be said to be an input means for inputting image data to the digital multi-function peripheral 1. The output processing apparatus of the present invention is an apparatus capable of performing N-in-1 processing on the image data stored in the memory (RAM) by such input means and outputting the processed image data to the printing apparatus unit 11 (recording means). All if included.

  Next, how the image information captured by the digital multi-function peripheral 1 is processed will be described with reference to FIG. In the case of the first embodiment, the digital multifunction peripheral 1 has a copying function, a FAX function, a printer function, and the like. First, the copying function will be described. The scanner unit 2 has a block configuration as shown in the upper part of FIG. 2a is a CCD (imaging unit) for reading a document, 2b is an amplifying unit for amplifying an analog image signal read by the CCD 2a, and 2c is a digital signal obtained by converting the image signal amplified by the amplifying unit 2b. An image data output unit that outputs data.

  The image data output from the scanner unit 2 is input to the image processing unit 9. The image processing unit 9 performs control such as reduction processing and rotation processing when an instruction such as the size and orientation of the sheet is given from the operation panel. 9a is a reduction processing unit that changes the resolution in order to reduce the image size, and 9b is a rotation processing unit that rotates the orientation of the image by 90 °. The image data processed by the image processing unit 9 is stored in a predetermined data structure 7 a, processed by the print output processing unit 10 as will be described later, and output to the printing device unit 11.

  Image data received by a FAX or a host computer is temporarily stored in the RAM 7 and can be rotated or reduced for image processing if necessary, and stored again in the RAM 7 after processing. Here, the reduction is performed by lowering the resolution, and the rotation for changing the direction is performed by skipping and reading out the image data. Both are performed by software. The configuration of the image processing unit 9 and the configuration for performing the subsequent processing are the same between the case of copying and the FAX or host computer.

  Note that when N-in 1 printing is performed on the image data stored in the RAM 7, a 90 ° rotation is performed (only when it is necessary to use the N-in 1 format in landscape orientation). When the print output controller 20 in FIG. 7 requests to read image data from the RAM 7, the interface of the RAM 7 reads the image data stored in the RAM 7 at a predetermined address (a skip reading with a predetermined skip width), and prints. Data is transferred to the output processing unit 10. This transfer is realized by DMA transfer.

  For example, 600 dpi image data acquired by the CCD 2a is stored by being reduced to 300 dpi by the image processing unit 9 in the case of 2 in 1, and the address of the starting point is changed in each block, which will be described later, at the time of reading in order to make it horizontally And it is rotated by skipping and reading line by line. Note that the rotation is not limited to 90 ° facing left, and other angles are possible by changing the starting point and the skip width. When such a reading method is performed and images for N pages are assigned to one page, the result is as shown in FIGS. 6 (a), 6 (b), and 6 (c). 6A is an explanatory diagram of 2-in-1; FIG. 6B is an explanatory diagram of 4-in-1; FIG. 6C is an explanatory diagram of 8-in-1;

  A 16-in-1 or the like is also possible with a smaller size. In the following, a description will be given of allocating pages in which N is a multiple of 2 to one page. However, even if N is a page that is a multiple of 3, 5,. The processing is basically the same by simply providing three, five,... N processing (see FIG. 7). As described above, according to the output processing apparatus of the first embodiment, a plurality of pages are arranged in the horizontal direction of the recording paper, and a plurality of layouts are arranged in the vertical direction, and N pages are assigned to one recording paper as a whole. It becomes possible.

  The interface of the RAM 7 does not read the image data stored as described above with a predetermined skip width and transfer the data to the print output processing unit 10, but temporarily passes the image data via the rotation processing unit 9 b. You can also output the data after rotating it. N-in-1 reduction is always necessary if N-in-1 is set, and can be performed by the reduction processing unit 9a when an image is read. However, rotation in N-in 1 involves adjustment of image orientation and print position. It is preferable to carry out at the time of printing.

  By the way, the data structure in the first embodiment that performs N-in-1 printing by address control and data processing is configured as an aggregate of a plurality of blocks obtained by dividing image data into N blocks. The image data is divided into N divided image data, stored in N blocks, and stored in the RAM 7 as an aggregate. In FIG. 2, 7a shows this data structure. Each block has the same size in the first embodiment, and is configured as a combination of the divided image data and the header of each block arranged before this. The reason why the data is divided into block units is that it does not require a data area for one page from the page unit, and the memory can be used effectively. The next block can be read immediately while printing in block units. Speed can be increased.

  For example, in the case of 4 in 1, the data structure in which the scanner unit 2 alternately reads 1 page and 2 pages at every ½ height, and arranges a header before each ½ height data, respectively. When this is complete, 3 pages and 4 pages are alternately read at half height, and a data structure is created in which a header is placed before each half height data. And store. When this block is generated in the case of copying, it can be read immediately for each line, and is printed in line units as described below.

  FIG. 4A is an explanatory diagram of 4-in-1 reading in the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4B is an explanatory diagram of a data structure in the first embodiment of the present invention.

  Now, the details of this data structure will be further described. As shown in FIG. 4B, in this data structure, a header part and a data part storing divided image data are arranged in a plurality of blocks of each page. . In the case of 4 in 1, one page is configured by 4 blocks, and a data setting space (configuration space) for 4 pages is configured by all 16 blocks.

  For the image data of the first page, the divided image data to be read first is stored in the data part 11 and is made into the block 1 from the header part 11 and the data part 11, and the divided image data to be read next is stored in the header part 12. The header portion 12 and the data portion 12 constitute a block 2, and such a block is repeatedly arranged below. Then, the last divided image data is stored in the data portion 1M to form a block M composed of the header portion 1M and the data portion 1M, and the image data on the first page is stored in M blocks as a whole. . This 1M divided image data corresponds to each image data 11, 12,..., 1M shown in FIG.

  Similarly, the image data of the second page is arranged behind the data structure of the first page. As shown in FIG. 4B, the block 21 including the header part 21 and the data part 21, the header part 22, It is stored as M blocks of a block 22 composed of the data part 22,..., A block 2M composed of the header part 2M and the data part 2M. The data parts 21, 22,..., 2M correspond to the image data 21, 22,..., 2M in FIG.

  Further, the same applies to the case of pages 3 and 4. These data structures are arranged in exactly the same manner under the data structure of the second page in FIG. 4B, and the data structure of the image data of the third page and the fourth page is a block 1n (n = 1 to M). The difference is that the block 2n (n = 1 to M) is replaced with the block 4n (n = 1 to M) in 3n (n = 1 to M). In N-in-1 printing in the first embodiment, M × N blocks are arranged in N pages for N pages, and this constitutes an N-in-1 data structure, and an N-block data setting space (configuration space). ). Reading and printing are performed in units of M blocks. However, it is not always necessary to divide each page into a plurality of blocks as described above, and the block unit may be a page unit. That is, one page may be one block and N pages may be M (= N) blocks. This will be described in the second embodiment.

  Now, a detailed configuration of each block of the data structure will be described.

  FIG. 3 is a block configuration diagram of the output processing device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. Each block has a configuration as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the head area is a header section (first area of the present invention), and the remaining area (second area of the present invention). The divided image data is stored in (region). FIG. 3B further shows the detailed configuration of the header portion, which is provided with the following first to fourth fields. The first field shown in FIG. 3B stores the start address of the divided image data stored in this block, and the second field stores the start address of the header portion of the block to be read next. Yes. Further, the data width of one line of the divided image data is written in the third field, and the data height representing the total number of lines of the divided image data is written in the fourth field.

  Thus, the print output controller 20 that controls the print output processing unit 10 reads the divided image data by using the first address pointer 21a of the setting register 21 as the first address of the first field acquired in the first transaction for the data structure. (To be described later). Also, based on the header address of the header of the next block (block on the second page) stored in the second field, the print output controller 20 reads the second data structure, and the next block Read out the start address of the divided image data of the block written in the first field. This can be stored in the second address pointer 21 b of the setting register 21.

  Similarly, the data width of the third field and the data height of the fourth field obtained by the first reading are stored in the first data width register 21c and the first data height register 21e, respectively, and obtained by the second reading. The data width of the third field and the data height of the fourth field can be stored in the second data width register 21d and the second data height register 21f, respectively (first address pointer 21a, second address pointer 21b The first data width register 21c, the second data width register 21d, the first data height register 21e, and the second data height register 21f are shown in FIG.

  Therefore, when printing the first line of the 4-in-1 first page, the head address of the first address pointer 21a is read out, and the image data for the first line of the first page is read out based on this. . Next, the head address of the second address pointer 21b is read, and based on this, the image data for the first line of the second page can be read. If it is necessary to rotate the image (such as 2-in-1 and 8-in-1), data is read from the RAM 7 while skipping with a predetermined skip width (data width of one line). The data read in this way can be reconstructed as one line of 4 in 1 by the print output processing unit 10. Here, FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram conceptually showing a processing method when the output processing apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention performs 4-in-1 printing. According to FIG. 5, the image data of N pages stored in the RAM 7 is transferred to the print output processing unit 10 in units of lines without being developed in the buffer, and is continuously reconstructed as one line. I understand that.

  Next, in order to output the second line, the image data for the second line of the first page is read, and the image data for the second line of the second page is read. Thereafter, the same operation as the first line described above is repeated until the data height (total number of lines) of the first data height register 21e and the second data height register 21f is reached. Are alternately read. FIG. 4A conceptually shows the reading procedure. FIG. 4A shows the case of 4 in 1.

  The above is the procedure for reading the divided image data of 1 page and 2 pages. When 1 page and 2 pages are completed, 3 pages and 4 pages are read in the 4-in-1 printing. The reading procedure is performed in exactly the same way by replacing page 1 in FIG. 4A with page 3 and page 2 with page 4. As a result, 4-in-1 printing in which pages 1 to 4 are assigned to one page is completed. In the case of N in 1 (N = 4 or more), this procedure is repeated for N pages instead of 4 pages to obtain an N in 1 layout. In short, each block constituting the same stage of a plurality of pages is read in order for each line, and this is repeated, and one line of data for each page is connected to each same stage.

  In the case of 2-in-1, the image is rotated by 90 ° as shown in FIG. 6A, and two pages of the size reduced in the horizontal direction on the vertical page may be laid out in two stages up and down. In this case, the layout may be made such that two pages reduced in the horizontal direction are regarded as one level, and this level is arranged vertically on the vertical page as shown in FIG. 6C.

  Here, the transfer of the above-described image data will be described more specifically. The print output controller 20 uses the DMA address controller 23 to the RAM 7 from the address set in the first address register 21a to the first data width register 21d. The transfer request is transmitted so as to read out the data of the number of bits stored in. If it is necessary to change (rotate) the orientation of the image at this time, a transfer request is made by designating which address data corresponding to the rotated image data is to be read. Accordingly, the interface of the RAM 7 transfers the read divided image data in the block 11 to the print output processing unit 10 that is a transfer destination.

  Similarly, when this transfer is completed, the print output controller 20 prints the data of the number of bits stored in the second data width register 21f from the address set in the second address pointer 21b by the DMA address controller 23. The RAM 7 sends a transfer request to the output processing unit 10, and the RAM 7 transfers the read data to the print output processing unit 10 that is the transfer destination to the print output processing unit 10 that is the transfer destination, as in the first transfer. This address is sequentially switched by the DMA address controller 23 and requested.

  Thereafter, the same procedure is repeated, and as shown in FIG. 4A, the DMA address controller 23 switches the transfer source from the data portion 21 of 2 pages to the data portion 12 of 1 page, and further data of 1 page. The transfer source is switched from the section 12 to the data section 22 of two pages. After this repetition, the address is finally switched from the data section 1N of one page to the data section 2N of two pages, and the transfer is completed.

  Now, referring again to FIG. 2 and with reference to FIG. 7 as well, a configuration for performing data processing as shown in FIG. 5 in the print output processing unit 10 will be specifically described.

  FIG. 7 is a block configuration diagram of the print output processing unit of the output processing apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. In FIG. 7, 20 is a print output controller (control means of the present invention) for controlling the print output processing unit 10 as already described, and 20a is a counter. The counter 20a counts the number of transactions or the number of lines. That is, when the data transfer for one line is completed, the counter 20a is incremented. When the value of the counter 20a matches the number of lines common to the first data height register 21e and the second data height register 21f, the transfer of the divided image data of this block ends.

  In FIG. 7, reference numeral 21 denotes a setting register provided in the print output processing unit 10. This is as described above, and includes a plurality of registers. 21a is a first address pointer, 21b is a second address pointer, 21c is a first data width register for storing the data width of one line to be transferred first, and 21d is a data width of one line to be transferred next. The second data width register, 21e is a first data height register for storing the total number of lines of the block to be transferred first, and 21f is a second data height register for storing the total number of lines of the block to be transferred next. It is. Reference numeral 21g denotes a print setting register for setting an N-in-1 layout instruction input from the operation panel. In addition, a register (not shown) for setting the size of the recording paper is also provided.

  Whether the layout that assigns 4 in 1 is assigned in the order from upper right to upper left, lower right, lower left, or the order from upper left to upper right, lower left, lower right, and 8 in 1 assignment. When performing, assign in order of top right, top left, right two, left two, right three, left three, right bottom, bottom left, or top left, top right, left two, right It is preferable to provide a flag register (not shown) for designating whether to assign in the order of second, third left, third right, lower left, and lower right. This can be set by instructing the print layout from the operation panel. If they are not provided, they are assigned in a certain order. When this flag is set, the print output controller 20 outputs control data for adjusting the print position to the output line buffer 27.

  2 and 7, reference numeral 22 denotes a bridge that connects the internal bus 8 capable of 64-bit transfer and the local bus to which the printing apparatus unit 11 is connected. Reference numeral 23 denotes the DMA address controller already described (the DMA controller of the present invention). When the print output controller 20 requests the RAM 7 to transfer image data, the address from which the data is transferred is assigned to the first address register 21a. And the address of the second address pointer 21b are sequentially switched and requested. Note that the transfer in the first embodiment is performed by DMA transfer in 64-bit units. Also, the DMA address controller 23 converts the address and makes a transfer request when it is necessary to change the orientation of the image.

  Reference numeral 24 denotes a data buffer for sequentially storing the transferred data. Reference numerals 25 and 26 denote the data stored in the data buffer 24 in the order of the data width of the first data width register 21c and the data width of the second data width register 21d, respectively. It is a RAM that is read and written. Therefore, when the transfer source is the block 11 of the first page and the block 21 of the page 21, data from the first line of the block 11 subjected to the DMA transfer to the n line of the first data height register 21e is continuously obtained. Similarly, data from the first line of the block 21 that has been DMA transferred to the n line of the second data height register 21e is continuously written.

  The data in the RAMs 25 and 26 is output by the print output controller 20 to the output line buffer 27 for each line. First, data corresponding to the first line of the block 11 of the first page stored in the RAM 25 is output to the output line buffer 27, and subsequently, corresponding to the first line of the block 21 of the second page stored in the RAM 26. The data to be output is output to the output line buffer 27. If printing position adjustment is required, such as the order of assignment, the data is output in this order.

  When the first line of N-in-1 in which the reduced 1-line data of the first page and the second page is connected is output from the RAMs 25 and 26, the data of the second line stored in the RAMs 25 and 26 is used. To output the second line of N-in-1. Further, by repeating this up to the data portion 1M and the data portion 2M, an image in which the first page and the second page of N-in-1 are assigned is obtained. FIG. 4 shows this image formation. In the case of 4-in-1, pages 1 to 4 are allocated as shown in FIG.

  2 and 7, reference numeral 28 denotes a print data output unit for outputting image data formed by the output line buffer 27, and 29 denotes a clock input for generating a video data signal to the print data output unit 28. A clock generation unit 30 for performing the above operation is a laser control unit for oscillating a laser beam for forming an image based on the video data signal output from the print data output unit 28. The clock generation unit 29 counts a predetermined print output start margin (ETM of the margin from the upper end) from the print output head reference signal (NTOP) for the head line, and further from the print output reference signal (NHSYNC) of each line. A predetermined print output start margin (ELM which is a margin from the left end) is counted and a clock input for generating a video data signal is performed.

  FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of a main part for forming an image in the printing apparatus. In FIG. 8, reference numeral 31 denotes a laser diode that oscillates laser light controlled based on the video data signal by the laser controller 30, and 32 denotes a polygon mirror for scanning the laser light oscillated by the laser diode 31. . The polygon mirror 32 is rotated in synchronization with the scanning speed of one line. Reference numeral 33 denotes a motor for rotating the polygon mirror 32, and reference numeral 34 denotes a motor control unit for controlling the rotation of the motor 33. A print output reference signal is generated in synchronization with this scan.

  Reference numeral 35 denotes a photosensitive drum which is formed with a photosensitive layer such as an organic photoreceptor (OPC) on its surface and rotates to form an electrostatic latent image and visualized with toner. The photosensitive drum 35 is uniformly charged by a charger (not shown), and an electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface by the laser light from the polygon mirror 32. The toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 35 is transferred onto a recording sheet by a transfer device (not shown). Thereafter, the image is fixed by a fixing device and discharged. Reference numeral 36 denotes a motor for driving the photosensitive drum 35. The motor 36 and the motor 33 are driven synchronously. It can also be driven using a single motor. The print output head reference signal described above is generated at the transfer timing.

  The print output controller 20 controls the clock output from the clock generation unit 29 based on the print output start margin counted by a counter (not shown), and synchronizes the laser beam emission timing and the polygon mirror 32 timing. Although not shown, a setting register 21 is provided for setting the margin.

  Therefore, the function of the output processing device in the digital multifunction peripheral 1 described above will be described with reference to a sequence chart.

  FIG. 9 shows a sequence chart of the output processing apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 9, when an instruction for copying from the operation panel and an instruction for N-in 1 are performed (sq1) and the start button on the operation panel is pressed, the program for executing the copying function is read from the ROM to the CPU 5. (Sq2), the scanner unit 2 starts reading an image of the document (sq3), and generates a data structure composed of a plurality of blocks including image data and headers according to the setting of N-in 1 in the RAM 7. (Sq4).

  Thereafter, the CPU 5 requests the print output controller 20 for data transfer (sq5). As a result, the print output controller 20 is activated (sq6), the print output controller 20 requests the bus right to the internal bus 8 for DMA transfer (sq7), and is included in each block 1 of pages 1 and 2 with respect to the RAM 7. The header part is requested to be read (sq8). On the other hand, the RAM 7 reads out the header portion of each block 1 (sq9), and the print output controller 20 that has acquired this reads out various settings in each register of the setting register 21 (sq10) and stores at least in the output line buffer 27. One line of memory is secured.

  Next, the print output controller 20 requests the RAM 7 to transfer the image data of the data portion provided in each block 1 of pages 1 and 2 (sq11). A DMA address control is performed by the DMA address controller 23b to make a transfer request (sq12), and the RAM 7 alternately reads the image data contained in each block 1 of pages 1 and 2 in a form corresponding to N-in 1 ( sq13), and the read image data is alternately transferred line by line. By this transfer, the image data of block 1 is successively stored in the data buffer 24 of the print output processing unit 10 (sq14).

  Thereafter, 1 line of 1 and 2 pages is sequentially taken out in the output line buffer 27 and arranged continuously to form one line, and this is repeated, and the image data of block 1 is N-in for 1 page and 2 pages. The data assigned to one format is output from the print data output unit 28 to the printing apparatus unit 11 (sq15). When one line is formed from the print data output unit 28, it is output line by line to the printing apparatus unit 11, and printing of block 1 of pages 1 and 2 is performed (sq16).

  After block 1, this procedure is repeated until block 2,. Also in block M, the print output controller 20 requests to read the header part of each block M on pages 1 and 2 (sq17), reads the header part of block M (sq18), and sets each register ( sq19), securing at least one line of memory, requesting to transfer the image data of the data portions 1M and 2M of each block M (sq20), performing DMA address control (sq21), and each block M Is read out (sq22) and transferred. This is stored in the data buffer 24 (sq23), and then each line of pages 1 and 2 is sequentially taken out in the output line buffer 27 and arranged successively, and this is repeated, so that the image data of block M becomes N-in. 1 is output from the print data output unit 28 to the printer unit 11 in line units (sq24), and printing of each block M is performed (sq25).

  In block M, the count 20a counts n = M, and the print output controller 20 determines that the allocation of pages 1 and 2 is complete, and determines whether there are allocations of pages 3, 4 or other pages. Determine (sq26). When there is further allocation, reading and output are repeated, and when there is no allocation, the bus right is released (sq27), the data processing by transfer is terminated (sq28), and the CPU 5 ends the execution of the copying function (sq29). ).

  Next, a procedure for performing output processing for N-in-1 printing assignment in the digital multi-function peripheral 1 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 10, 11, and 12.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart when 2-in-1 allocation is performed, FIG. 11 is a flowchart when upper-level allocation is performed when 4-in-1 allocation is performed, and FIG. 12 is lower-level allocation when 4-in-1 allocation is performed. It is a flowchart in the case of performing.

  First, the procedure for data processing for 2-in-1 printing will be described. When the image processing unit 9 acquires read data from the scanner unit 2 (step 1), the image processing unit 9 acquires page layout information with reference to the print setting register 21g (step 2). The input data is the same as the data read from the scanner unit 2, data stored in a memory card, print data from the host computer, FAX image data, and the like. These are stored in a data portion having a data structure including a block having a header portion and a data portion. The number of blocks may be any of 1 to M. If page layout information for 2-in-1 allocation is set, reduction processing is performed (step 3).

  Next, the head addresses of the respective image data are set in the first and second address pointers 21a and 21b from the header portions corresponding to page 1 (left page) and page 2 (right page), respectively (step 4). Further, the respective data width and data height are set in the first and second data width registers 21c and 21d and the first and second data height registers 21e and 21f (step 5). Thereafter, data processing is started (step 6). Data processing is performed on the data read so as to change the orientation of the image.

  Data processing for one line in the common block of page 1 (left page) and page 2 (right page) is performed (step 7), these are allocated as one line in the same block, and processing of all lines in this block is completed It is determined whether or not (step 8). If the data processing for all lines in the block has not been completed, the process returns to step 7. If the processing has been completed, it is determined whether or not the processing for all blocks on page 1 (left page) and page 2 (right page) has been completed. (Step 9).

  In step 9, if the data processing for all lines in all blocks has not been completed, the process returns to step 4 for reprocessing, and if the processing has been completed, the assignment of 2 in 1 to one page has been completed and the print output processing is terminated. To do.

  Next, the procedure for data processing for 4-in-1 printing will be described. When read data is acquired from the scanner unit 2, page layout information is acquired with reference to the print setting register 21h (step 11). Next, it is determined whether or not 4-in-1 allocation is performed (step 12). If it is not 4-in-1 allocation, the process ends. If 4-in-1 is allocated, input data for four pages is reduced (step 13).

  Next, it is determined whether or not the layout (output format) of each page should be allocated in the order of upper left, upper right, lower left, and lower right (step 14). When a setting to that effect is made from the operation panel, a flag indicating this is set, and page 1 is registered as upper left, page 2 is upper right, page 3 is lower left, and page 4 is registered as lower right (step 15). In step 14, if not assigned in the order of upper left, upper right, lower left, and lower right, page 1 is registered as upper right, page 2 is upper left, page 3 is lower right, and page 4 is registered as lower left (step 16).

  Thereafter, the head addresses of the respective image data are set in the first and second address pointers 21a and 21b from the header portions corresponding to the head blocks of the upper left page and the upper right page (step 17). Also, the data width and data height are set in the first and second data width registers 21c and 21d and the first and second data height registers 21e and 21f (step 18). The data width and data height are common to the left and right pages.

  Subsequently, a data area for one line of 4 in 1 is secured in the output line buffer 27, and the area obtained by adding the area for one line on the upper left page and the area for one line on the upper right page is the size of this data area. A larger area is set (step 19). Data processing is started in this state (step 20).

  In the data processing, the print output controller 20 transfers the data for one line of the left and right pages, stores the image data for one line of the upper left page in the RAM 25, and stores the image data for one line of the upper right page in the RAM 26. Thereafter, the image data for one line of the upper left page is taken out from the RAM 25 and copied into the data area for one line in the output line buffer 27 (step 21), and further, one line of the upper right page is read from the RAM 26. Image data is taken out and copied after the last data of the upper left page (step 22). Note that when there is a print position adjustment in the layout order, the left and right are output in reverse. As a result, the data processing for one line is completed, and print output from the print data output unit 28 to the printing apparatus unit 11 is started (step 23).

  Thereafter, it is determined whether or not the processing of all the lines in the block has been completed (step 24), and the number of lines counted by the counter 20a is the data height set in the first and second data height registers 21e and 21f. If not, the process returns to step 21 to continue the process, and if it has reached, processes the lower left page and the lower right page.

  The processing of the lower left page and the lower right page will be described based on a flowchart in the case of performing the lower allocation in FIG. The head addresses of the respective image data are set in the first and second address pointers 21a and 21b from the header portions corresponding to the head blocks of the lower left page and the lower right page (step 25). The data width and data height are set in the first and second data width registers 21c and 21d and the first and second data height registers 21e and 21f (step 26). The data width and data height are common to the left and right pages.

  Subsequently, a data area for one line is secured in the output line buffer 27, and an area obtained by adding the area for one line on the lower left page and the area for one line on the lower right page is an area larger than the size of the data area. (Step 27). Data processing is started in this state (step 28). In the data processing, the print output controller 20 transfers the data for one block on the left and right pages, stores the image data for one block on the lower left page in the RAM 25, and stores the image data for one block on the lower right page in the RAM 26. Do it by storing.

  Thereafter, the image data for one line of the lower left page is extracted from the RAM 25 and copied to the data area for one line in the output line buffer 27 (step 29), and the image data for one line of the lower right page is further extracted from the RAM 26. Then, the copy is continued after the last data of the lower left page (step 30). If there is a print position adjustment in the layout order, the left and right are output in reverse. Thus, the data processing for one line is completed, and the print output from the print data output unit 28 to the printing apparatus unit 11 is started (step 31). Thereafter, it is determined whether or not the processing of all the lines in the block has been completed (step 32), and the number of lines counted by the counter 20a is the data height set in the first and second data height registers 21e and 21f. If not, the process returns to step 29 to continue the process, and if it has reached, the output format is checked.

  The output format set in step 14 is checked, for example, whether all lines of all blocks are processed in the order of allocation from upper left to upper right, lower left and lower right (step 33). It is determined that an error has occurred due to an insufficient number (step 34), and if it has been processed, the print output process is terminated normally.

  As described above, the output processing apparatus of the digital multi-function peripheral according to the first embodiment of the present invention can perform N-in-1 printing at high speed without developing N pages of data in the memory. In addition, it is not necessary to separately provide a memory for rearranging image data, and an image of N pages can be printed with a simple configuration. Furthermore, since the acquired image data is directly output to the printing apparatus without going through the memory for rearranging the image data, the time required for the data processing during the image processing can be shortened.

  In addition, since the same line of a plurality of image data is sequentially read from the data portion while judging the output amount of the image data based on the data width of each image data input in units of blocks, the image data for N pages is read. The same image data that has been obtained once expanded in the memory can be output by simply using the output line buffer, depending on the size of N of the designated N-in-1 recording function while reducing the time required for data processing. A plurality of images can be printed on one recording sheet.

(Embodiment 2)
Hereinafter, an output processing apparatus according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 13 is a relationship diagram between a memory configuration and print data when printing data read by the output processing device according to the second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 14 is a diagram of reading by the output processing device according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a relationship diagram between data and print data. Since the configuration of the output processing apparatus of the digital multi-function peripheral is basically the same between the first embodiment and the second embodiment, FIGS. 1 to 12 are also referred to in the description of the second embodiment. Since the configuration with the same reference numerals as in the first embodiment shows the same configuration in the second embodiment unless otherwise described, the description thereof is omitted here.

  The output processing apparatus according to the second embodiment does not store image data by dividing one page into a plurality of blocks as in the first embodiment, but stores the image data in units of pages and performs N-in-1 printing. Therefore, the amount of processing for this is further reduced than in the first embodiment.

  FIG. 13 shows the relationship between the memory configuration and the print data in the second embodiment when printing data in the 4-in-1 print format developed on the read RAM 7. Also in the second embodiment, as in the first embodiment, one line is read out from the read address 1 at the top of the image data of the first page and the read address 2 at the top of the image data of the second page, respectively. One line in the case of 4 in 1 is formed from both the lines. When the allocation of pages 1 and 2 is completed, one line is read from read address 1 at the top of image data on page 3 and read address 2 at the top of image data on page 4, and 1 from both lines of pages 3 and 4 Configure and print lines. Therefore, the second embodiment corresponds to the case where the number of blocks M is M = 1 in the description of the first embodiment. The configuration of the data part and the header part is the same as that shown in FIGS. For this reason, these descriptions will be omitted from the first embodiment.

  As shown in the left diagram of FIG. 13, the effective print range necessary for printing is slightly narrower than the image data range read by the scanner unit 2, and printing is performed on the last 64-bit data constituting one line. Unnecessary data is included. The upper part of FIG. 14 shows that the read image data of the first page is DMA-transferred by the internal bus 8 in units of 64 bits (32 bits × 2), and print unnecessary data exists in the last 64 bits. Similarly, the read image data of the second page also indicates that there is unnecessary print data in the last 64 bits.

  Accordingly, the substantially read image data of the first page and the second page are output in line units via the print unnecessary data at the end of the first page. However, this print-unnecessary data is padded data due to the difference in the amount of read data and print (transfer) data, and is meaningless in terms of image. If this is processed and output in the same manner as other valid image data, the processing for these is wasted and the time required for data processing increases.

  Therefore, in the second embodiment, when the read image data stored in the RAM 25 is output to the output line buffer 27, as shown in the lower part of FIG. At the end of the line of the page including the plurality of pages other than the right page in the previous page up to the last page of the same stage, output is performed excluding unnecessary printing data, and then the second page and the fourth page read from the RAM 26 (the same page). Similarly, the read image data is output at the end of the first line of the last page of the first page, and is connected in a state where there is no print unnecessary data to form one line.

  The fill (FILL) width of the unnecessary print data to be deleted is set in the setting register 21 in advance. The print output controller 20 does not output the unnecessary print data on the left page, but outputs the read image data of the left page to the output line buffer 27 as it is, and the print output controller 20 determines the last print unnecessary data. Control may be made so that data on the right page is overwritten by the fill width, and one line of N-in-1 may be configured.

  As a result, the print data printed by the printing apparatus unit 11 is as shown in the right diagram of FIG. 13 and does not include unnecessary print data between the left page (1, 2 pages) and the right page (3, 4 pages). Printed as a compact image. According to this configuration, the image data is output to the recording apparatus as one line of continuous image data excluding the recording unnecessary area, so that the image data can be stored in the output line buffer 27 at a high speed in response to the recording output request. In addition, the capacity of the output line buffer 27 can be reduced, and the same image data that has been obtained by developing a plurality of pages of image data once in a memory can be output simply by using the output line buffer 27.

  Furthermore, it is also possible to output a print output mask on the unnecessary print data at the end of pages 2 and 4 (the same page last page). For this purpose, the print output controller 20 fills the fill width of the unnecessary print data included at the end of the second and fourth pages to zero (blank), and erases the fill width data. This configuration eliminates unnecessary areas, facilitates processing, and increases the speed.

  In printing, a predetermined print output start margin (ELM from the left end, ETM from the top end) is counted from the print output reference signal (NHSYNC) and the print output head reference signal (NTOP) for each line. Then, a clock input for generating a video data signal is made to the laser controller 30. As a result, the 4-in-1 image is laid out with the four pages shifted to the left as a whole, and the overall printing is compact while ensuring a predetermined margin.

  As described above, the digital multi-function peripheral output processing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention reads the same line of image data of a plurality of continuous pages, and prints an unnecessary print area generated at the end of the read image data for one line. By outputting image data for one continuous line to the printing apparatus without outputting to the data output unit, the image data is output to the output line buffer stably and at high speed in response to the print output request. The output line buffer can be used effectively.

  The present invention can be applied to an output processing apparatus such as a digital multifunction peripheral.

1 is an overall configuration diagram of a digital multi-function peripheral provided with an output processing apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing image data processing of the output processing apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. 1 is a block configuration diagram of an output processing apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. (A) Explanatory diagram of 4-in-1 reading in the first embodiment of the present invention, (b) Explanatory diagram of the data structure in the first embodiment of the present invention. Explanatory drawing which shows notionally the system of a process when performing the 4-in-1 printing of the output processing apparatus in Embodiment 1 of this invention (A) 2 in 1 explanatory diagram, (b) 4 in 1 explanatory diagram, (c) 8 in 1 explanatory diagram 1 is a block configuration diagram of a print output processing unit of an output processing apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. Explanatory drawing of the main part for image formation of the printing unit Sequence chart of output processing apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention Flow chart for 2-in-1 allocation Flowchart for the upper allocation when 4-in-1 allocation is performed Flowchart when performing lower allocation when performing 4-in-1 allocation Relationship diagram between memory configuration and print data when printing data read by output processing apparatus in embodiment 2 of the present invention Relationship diagram between read data and print data of output processing apparatus in embodiment 2 of the present invention Explanatory drawing which shows notionally the system of the process at the time of performing the conventional 4 in 1 printing

Explanation of symbols

1 Digital MFP 2 Scanner 2a CCD
2b Amplifying unit 2c Image data output unit 3 FAX communication control unit 4 I / O interface 5 CPU
6 FlashROM
7 RAM
7a Data structure 8 Internal bus 9 Image processing unit 9a Reduction processing unit 9b Rotation processing unit 10 Print output processing unit 11 Printing device unit 12 Operation panel control unit 13 Display control unit 14 Memory card interface 15 Internal data generation unit 20 Print output controller 20a Counter 21 setting register 21a first address pointer 21b second address pointer 21c first data width register 21d second data width register 21e first data height register 21f second data height register 21g print setting register 22 bridge 23 DMA address controller 24 Data buffer 25, 26 RAM
27 Output Line Buffer 28 Print Data Output Unit 29 Clock Generation Unit 30 Laser Control Unit 31 Laser Diode 32 Polygon Mirror 33 Motor 34 Motor Control Unit 35 Photosensitive Drum 36 Motor

Claims (17)

First storage means for storing image data in units of pages;
Second storage means for storing a start address of each image data stored in units of pages;
Based on the head address stored in the second storage means,
Control means for reading the same line of image data of a plurality of pages from the first storage means line by line, and outputting the read image data for the plurality of lines to the recording means as image data for one continuous line. An output processing device. First storage means for storing image data in predetermined block units;
Second storage means for storing a head address of each image data stored in block units;
Based on the head address stored in the second storage means,
Control means for reading the same line of continuous image data of a plurality of blocks from the first storage means one line at a time, and outputting the read image data for the plurality of lines to the recording means as image data for one continuous line; An output processing apparatus comprising: An instruction means for instructing an N-in-1 recording function for arranging a plurality of image data on the same stage of one recording medium and providing a predetermined number of the stages to record the plurality of image data on one recording medium;
First storage means for storing the input image data in predetermined block units;
Second storage means for storing a head address of each image data stored in units of blocks and length information of each image data;
Control means for reading the same line of continuous image data of a plurality of blocks from the first storage means one line at a time, and outputting the read image data for the plurality of lines to the recording means as image data for one continuous line; With
When the control means outputs to the recording means image data corresponding to the length information of each image data stored in the second storage means based on the instruction of the N-in-1 recording function, Determining that the data output of the plurality of blocks of images has been completed,
When the number of stages constituting the image data to be output to the recording means is less than the predetermined number,
An output processing apparatus, wherein the same line of the next consecutive blocks is read line by line from the first storage means and output to the next stage. An instruction means for instructing an N-in-1 recording function for arranging a plurality of image data on the same stage of one recording medium and providing a predetermined number of the stages to record the plurality of image data on one recording medium;
First storage means for storing the input image data in predetermined block units;
Second storage means for storing a head address of each image data stored in units of blocks and length information of each image data;
Control means for reading the same line of continuous image data of a plurality of blocks from the first storage means one line at a time, and outputting the read image data for the plurality of lines to the recording means as image data for one continuous line; With
When the control means outputs to the recording means image data corresponding to the length information of each image data stored in the second storage means based on the instruction of the N-in-1 recording function, Determining that the data output of the plurality of blocks of images has been completed,
When the number of stages constituting the image data to be output to the recording means is less than the predetermined number,
An output processing apparatus, wherein the same line of a plurality of blocks corresponding to the next page is read line by line from the first storage means. An instruction means for instructing an N-in-1 recording function for arranging a plurality of image data on the same stage of one recording medium and providing a predetermined number of the stages to record the plurality of image data on one recording medium;
First storage means for storing the input image data in predetermined block units;
Second storage means for storing a head address of each image data stored in units of blocks and length information of each image data;
Control means for reading the same line of continuous image data of a plurality of blocks from the first storage means one line at a time, and outputting the read image data for the plurality of lines to the recording means as image data for one continuous line; With
Control means for reading the same line of continuous image data of a plurality of blocks from the first storage means one line at a time, and outputting the read image data for the plurality of lines to the recording means as image data for one continuous line; With
When the control means outputs to the recording means image data corresponding to the length information of each image data stored in the second storage means based on the instruction of the N-in-1 recording function, Determining that the data output of the plurality of blocks of images has been completed,
Further, when the number of stages constituting the image data output to the recording means reaches the predetermined number,
An output processing apparatus that determines that output of image data for one sheet of the recording medium has been completed. Third storage means for storing the image data for one continuous line, wherein the control means outputs the image data for one continuous line before outputting the image data for one continuous line to the recording means. 6. The output processing device according to claim 1, wherein the output processing device is temporarily stored in the third storage means. 6. The output processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the predetermined block unit is configured by a page unit of the input image data. 7. The output processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image data is image data acquired by a reading unit. 7. The output processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image data is image data stored in a memory card. A DMA controller for continuously forming read addresses and transferring them to the recording means when reading data on the same line of a plurality of pages from the first storage means, and the DMA controller stores the data in the second storage means; The data on the same line of the plurality of pages is continuously transferred as image data for one line to the recording means on the basis of the head address, and the control means transfers the transferred image data to the third storage means. The output processing device according to claim 6, wherein the output processing device is stored in a storage. When reading data of the same line of a plurality of pages from the first storage means, when reading the same line of image data obtained by rotating the image data of the plurality of pages as one line,
11. The output processing apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the DMA controller requests the first storage unit to continuously transfer image data at an address corresponding to the rotated image data. . A recording unnecessary area that is different from the effective recording range is set at the end of one line of image data, and the control unit continuously uses the same line data of the plurality of pages as image data for one line. 7. The image data of each line of the next page is written in a state in which the recording unnecessary area of each line of the page read previously in the plurality of pages is excluded when storing in the storage means. Item 12. The output processing device according to Item 11. When the control means writes the image data of each line of the next page in a state excluding the recording unnecessary area of each line of the read page, each line when the next page becomes the last page of the same stage 13. The output processing apparatus according to claim 12, wherein a non-recording area of the image data is zero-filled. In order to perform N-in-1 recording, the image data is reduced and stored in the first area in units of blocks, and the start address of each image data stored in units of the blocks is stored in the second area.
Based on the head address stored in the second area, one line of image data for each page is extracted from each block and output as line data as one continuous line of N-in-1 page. A data structure for
A data structure characterized in that, in addition to the head address, the second area stores a head address of a first area belonging to a next block arranged continuously. 15. The data structure according to claim 14, wherein the second area stores data length information of each image data stored in units of blocks. 16. The data structure according to claim 14, wherein the block unit is a page unit. Each of the blocks is provided with the second region in association with the first region, and a plurality of blocks are arranged to form a page unit structure, and further, N page unit structures are arranged to form an N-in. 16. The data structure according to claim 14 or 15, wherein one recording function can be executed.

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